Winch Operation

[colingtonfd]

Our FD has a M35A3 with a 10 ton hydraulic winch. When we engage the winch on the gear shift in the cab, it moves air, but we still cant engage the winch outside on the handle to the left rear of the drum. It will free spool. It is like it is locked in some way. Anyone have a solution or something we can try. Thanks.

 

[rosco]

If when it is "free spooling", pulling out the line, can someone keep pressure on the handle & re-engage the drum? Does the handle move at all? It may take as much as a half turn of the drum, before the jaw clutch engages. There is a detent, on that handle.

Lee in Alaska

 

[Floridianson]

Do the A3 have the little locking tab to prevent the lever from engaging?

 

[doghead]

Be sure you understand the correct operation of the winch before you use it. The lever on the winch is for setup purposes only, the winch operation is only done from the drivers seat.(Under load, it it impossible to disconnect the winch drive, with the lever on the winch). As lee posted, try gentle pressure on the lever as you slowly pull out cable, within a half a drum turn, the lever should move into the engaged position. Then operate the winch from inside while a second person feeds(tensions) the loose cable onto the drum from a safe distance. Always have a second person to watch the winch spool and stop if it is not winding evenly.